String Quilts 2019 Part 2

Happy Friday! If you missed my first post about  stringalong 2019 check it out HERE.

Once you have found a pattern you'd like to make, (when I say pattern that doesn't mean you have to purchase one! When I took a string quilt class with Gwen Marston we made our own pattern if we wanted a specific block- you can do it!) you'll need to figure out what size you'd like your quilt to be.

I have already started blocks several months ago that I stalled out on. You can see what I'm doing HERE. I want my quilt to be about 60x72 and my blocks will finish at 4". So my setting is 15 blocks across, 18 blocks down. I need a total of 270 blocks! If I want to get my top done in October, I'll have 10 months to work on it. Divide 270 blocks by 10 months, I'll need to make 27 blocks a month to meet my goal. It is simple math, but hopefully I am helping and not confusing you.

Someone gave me a few blocks that this one would be great to use them in. My blocks will finish at  6". If I wanted this quilt to be about the same size as the other one, 60x72, I would need 10 blocks x 12 blocks for a total of 120 blocks. Using that same 10 months I only need to make 12 of these each month. 

Let me know if I can help you figure it out. If you have Electric Quilt- use it!

Next thing you need is strings!

I throw scraps in a drawer.

 Then sometimes I put them in bags with alike colors. Then "sometimes" I iron them and cut them into strips, squares, or strings, which I consider too small for squares or evenly cut strips. If you just have scraps, cut them into usable size strings.

 Then the strings get put in a bag. My friend, Linda, gave me a big bag of them so I added with what I had and now I have plenty.

I like to use some type of foundation to stabilize my strings. You can also use muslin or just ugly fabric, or none at all. Make a plan now so you'll be ready to dive in at the first of the year! 

Pattern...

layout and size...

how many blocks total?

How many blocks per month?

strings?

foundation? 

I'm excited! There are so many varieties that no 2 quilts will ever be the same!!

I hope I've explained it clearly.

Of course, if you are just testing the waters with a small quilt you likely will get it done in one month. That's great too! We will have a linky party at the end of every month so we can see your progress and stay on track.

Have a super weekend!